News: Honours projects - Plant science
Activity of novel xylanases from a new Australian crop, Plantago ovata (psyllium)
![Plantago ovata (psyllium) by Stan Shebs (CC by 3.0)](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2021-06/plantago_ovata_psyllium.jpg?h=c4dd2c7b&itok=Q-HwZnWh)
Honours project: Study the biology of psyllium, a plant whose seeds are used as a key ingredient in the gluten-free food industry.
[Read more about Activity of novel xylanases from a new Australian crop, Plantago ovata (psyllium)]
Where does the acid in wine come from?
![Viticulture and oenology students in Waite vineyard](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2021-07/vineyard-wine-28198_UoA.jpg?h=08b866d1&itok=nICQoag1)
Honours project: Can you help find the missing link in grape berry biochemistry?
Battleground of the grapevine: Shiraz Disease under the microscope
![Plant scientists examining grapevines](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2021-07/plant-viticulture-28144_UoA.jpg?h=8268fcbc&itok=v4x2pox4)
Honours project: Help us understand disease progression and cultivar-specific grapevine defence responses to Shiraz Disease.
[Read more about Battleground of the grapevine: Shiraz Disease under the microscope]
Nutrition & collective movement in the Australian plague locust
![Australian plague locusts](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-03/australian-plague-locusts.jpg?h=86464cde&itok=fKV2cGul)
Honours project: Investigate the movement of plague locusts using laboratory and field experiments.
[Read more about Nutrition & collective movement in the Australian plague locust]
Understanding pollination processes between bees and flowers
![Bee flower image](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-10/bee-flower.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=ZGoN5NKC)
Honours project: Investigate the molecular basis of extrorse anther outcrossing mechanism in flowering plants.
[Read more about Understanding pollination processes between bees and flowers]
Made-in-SA: Advanced materials derived from local growers’ agricultural waste
![Adelaide Glycomics](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-09/adelaide-glycomics-22772_UoA.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=yLwaSEKO)
Honours project: Turn fruit and vegetable waste into functional products
[Read more about Made-in-SA: Advanced materials derived from local growers’ agricultural waste]
Analysing compostable plastics
![Eco shopping bag by ASHFAQ ALI from Pixabay](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-09/eco-shopping-bag.jpg?h=10a9f321&itok=dr9Nz3HE)
Honours project: Are compostable plastics really what they say on the packet? Research opportunities are available to test a new fully compostable type of plastic.
Agave spirits: Using wild yeasts to ferment fructose
![Associate Professor Rachel Burton and PhD Student Kendall Corbin visiting the Agave plantation in Queensland](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-09/agave-burton-kendall.jpg?h=4ae7f33d&itok=OSyc6O36)
Honours project: Fermentation of wild yeasts to create Australia's first agave spirit.
[Read more about Agave spirits: Using wild yeasts to ferment fructose]
Disease resistance in plants: Chickpea
![Chickpea](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-09/honours-yongle-li-chickpea.jpg?h=8268fcbc&itok=B2wa_fnc)
Honours project: Combine your passion for agriculture, plant science and bioinformatics to investigate genetic resistance to disease in chickpea.
Disease resistance in plants: Oat
![Septoria Leaf Blotch in oat](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-09/honours-yongle-li-oat-septoria.jpg?h=3441e33b&itok=aIjnFNUG)
Honours project: Combine your passion for agriculture, plant science and bioinformatics to investigate the genetics of septoria leaf blotch to aid the development of resistant oat varieties.